Steam-pipe joint for excavating-machines



(No Model.)

' v L. BIRGKHEAD.

V STEAM PIPE JOINT FOR EXGAVATING MACHINES.

N0.- 40Z,555. Patented May 7-, 1889.

' WITNESSES PATENT OFFICE.

LENNOX BIROKHEAD, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

STEAM-PIPE JOINT FOR EXCAVATlNG-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 402,555, dated May '7, 1889'.

Application filed November 18, 1887. SerialNo. 255,525. (No model.) 7

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LENNOX BIRCKHEAD, a citizen of the United States, residing at T0- ledo, Lucas county, Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Excavating-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

In that class of excavating-machines in which the crane is provided with a steam-engine mounted thereon, designed to operate the dipper or shovel arm, such steam-engine has heretofore been supplied with steam through a flexible steam-hose which yields to and follows the swinging of the crane. It is found that this steam-h ose requires frequent renewal, the constant bending of the hose by the swinging of the crane soon crackingand causing the hose to break and leak, often causing'annoying and expensive delays.

My invention relates to and its object is to provide a means of supplying an engine mounted upon a crane with steam through pipes jointed or hinged, so as to. dispense with the use of a hose, thus obviating the difficulties here pointed out. I attain these objects by means of the mechanism and arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings, made part hereof, in which- Figure 1 is a planof my device with the crane swung; Fig. 2, same with crane set straight ahead and Fig. 3, a vertical sectional side elevation of the same.

Like letters represent like parts in all the views.

A is the mast, and B the boom, of the crane, on which (not shown in the drawings) is a steam-engine actuating the dipper-arm.

, a is a stationary steam-pipe leading into stuffing-box 17. From stuffing-box 6 leads bent pipe 0, terminating in stuffing-box (1. Pipe 0 is enlarged at its end next to stuffing-box d, so as to receive one end of bent pipe 6, which leads from the interior of pipe 0 through stufiing-box d, terminating in stuffing-box f, upon hollow ring g, which encircles mast A and is attached to the crane. From ring 9 steam-pipe h leads directly to the engine. The course of the steam to the engine is through a b c d e f g h, in the order named.

The operation of my device is as follows: When the crane is swung either to the right or left, ring 9 rotates, carrying with it stufiiing-box f, in which the vertical end of pipe 6 turns, the vertical end of pipe 0 turns in stuffing-box I), .while the horizontal end of pipe '8 telescopes into or out of pipe 0, as the case may be, the pipes c 6 thus accommodating themselves longitudinally and laterally to the position of the crane.

What I claim asmy invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an excavating-machine, in combination with an engine mounted upon the crane thereof, pipes c 6, provided with telescopejoint d, permitting longitudinal motion of pipe 6, substantially as shown and described, for the purpose specified.

2. In anexcavating-machine, in combination with the crane having an engine mounted thereon, pipes c and 6, having joints 6, d, and f, substantially as shown and described, for the purpose specified.

3. In combination with crane A B, pipes a, c, e, g, and h, having joints b, d, and f, substantially as shown and described, for the purpose specified.

- LENNOX BIROKHEAD. Witnesses:

B. A. HAYES,

W. F. C L ERsoN. 

